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ACTIONS TO RELIEVE CHOKING IN AN ADULT OR CHILD OVER 1 YEAR OF AGE:
If you suspect someone is severely choking, ask “Are you choking?” If he/she nods yes or gives the universal sign for choking, ask if you can help. If they confirm, TAKE ACTION. If the person denies your assistance, phone 911.
Stand behind the victim with one foot between his/her feet. Wrap your arms around the person under their arms so your hands are in front. If victim is too tall and you cannot reach, have them kneel. If smaller victim, rescuer can kneel to reach appropriate level.
Make a fist with one hand and place thumb side of the fist slightly above navel (belly button.) Grasp fist with other hand and give a quick upward thrust into abdomen. Like a cough, each thrust forces air from the lungs which can help remove an object blocking the airway.
Remember, if the person is large and you cannot wrap your arms fully around the waist, or the victim is pregnant, give thrusts on the chest instead of the abdomen. Put your arms under the armpits and your hands on the lower half of the breastbone. Pull straight back to give the chest thrusts.
Give thrusts until the object is forced out, and the victim can breathe, cough, or talk OR UNTIL HE/SHE STOPS RESPONDING.*
Remember, if you are alone and are choking, you can attempt abdominal thrusts on yourself by using the back of a chair or a counter/sturdy table. Get yourself to where others can help you! If you have access to a phone, place a call to Emergency Services (or 911.) Keep the line connected in hopes that paramedics can find you.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN SEVERELY CHOKING AND RECEIVED ABDOMINAL OR
CHEST THRUSTS SHOULD FOLLOW UP WITH A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.
* ACTION TO TAKE IF THE CHOKING ADULT, CHILD OR INFANT STOPS RESPONDING:
Lower (or place) victim to or on a firm, flat surface.
Call 911 or your emergency response number. Send for or get an AED if available and use it when it arrives. Turn it on and follow the prompts.
Assess the victim to determine if he/she needs CPR. A person needs CPR if they are unresponsive and not breathing. Check for breathing by scanning the chest for 5-10 seconds, looking for normal chest rise. Give CPR if needed (see CPR reminder links for a refresher on steps for CPR.)
CPR for ADULTS Review CPR for Child/Infant Review
After each set of 30 compressions, open the airway. If you see an object, and it can easily be removed, take it out, but do not perform a blind finger sweep. Whether or not the object is removed, attempt to deliver 2 breaths. If the breaths do or do not go in, resume compressions. Continue checking for the object after each set of 30 compressions and attempt the breaths.
Continue CPR until victim speaks, moves, or breathes or until someone with more advanced training arrives and takes over.
The information presented below is a review for our class participants. It does not replace a training course but is to be used as a refresher to remind of the skills that were learned so rescuers are prepared in an emergency.
ACTIONS TO RELIEVE CHOKING IN AN INFANT:
Relief of choking for infants (under one year of age) differs from that of adults and children. NEVER give abdominal thrusts to an infant; it could cause serious harm.
An infant will not be able to indicate to you it is choking when you ask. Look for signs of inability to breath and a look of panic. Pick up the infant and place face down on your forearm. Support the infant’s head and neck by holding the jaw with your hand. If possible, try to have the infant’s head lower than its body.
Give up to five back slaps with the heel of your other hand between the infant’s shoulder blades.
If the object does not come out after 5 back slaps, place your arm on the infant’s back, with hand behind head to support head and neck. Turn the infant over onto its back and place your arm that is supporting the infant on your leg for support. Give up to 5 chest thrusts using 2 fingers of your other hand to push on the chest straight down from nose, on the lower half of breastbone (just below the nipple line.)
Repeat giving 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts until the infant can breathe, cough, or cry or until the infant stops responding*.
Relief of choking is a life-saving skill that is easy to perform. Please review the skills listed below so you are confident in their use.
First recognize if someone is mildly or severely choking. If someone can make sounds or cough, then the choking is mild. Stand by and let him/her cough. If worried about their breathing, call 911.
If the person cannot breathe, or has a cough that makes no sound, or cannot talk or make a sound, or makes the universal choking sign (holding the neck with one or both hands), the block in the airway is severe. Act quickly!
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